Luton's Liberal Democrats blast return of flights at Luton Airport during lockdown

Hungarian airline Wizz Air started flying again from the airport on Friday, May 1.

But Liberal Democrat leader, councillor David Franks said there was “no provision for checking the health status of arriving passengers or for quarantining anyone whose coronavirus status is unknown".

Councillor Franks added: “Some of the arriving passengers may stay locally, some will travel to other towns and cities.

“But all will be travelling by one means or another through Luton.

“Just as significantly, all of the departing passengers will be indulging in unnecessary travel through parts of the town.

“Much of the work of the council over the last few weeks has made a significant contribution to the containment of the pandemic and to reduce the numbers affected.

“But this single action risks undermining all that good work by introducing into the mix hundreds, possibly thousands, of people whose health status is completely unknown.”

Councillor Franks wrote to Labour council leader Hazel Simmons and chief executive Robin Porter, asking whether it would be better to lobby government to introduce a national scheme of either testing or isolation for all people arriving in the UK.

“While almost the whole population of Luton and the rest of the UK is adhering to the government’s lockdown policy, you’re inviting unnecessary travel by people who may have been exposed to the virus,” he warned.

Protest group Stop Luton Airport Expansion (SLAE) is also questioning whether the public’s health is being put at risk by allowing passenger flights to resume against current advice.

Chief strategy officer for the council’s airport company London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL), Graham Olver said: “Passenger and freight flights are a key national service.

“The government has asked airports to remain open wherever possible to aid the national economic recovery.

“We’re working closely with the airport operator to support the rigorous measures it’s putting in place, with the government.

“This is to make sure the safety of all airport staff and passengers is absolutely paramount and that everyone is protected at all points in the process when travelling through London Luton Airport.

“It’s important to all of us, working in partnership, that our operator shows Luton is a safe airport to travel through.

“This means each process has been reviewed around the latest national Covid-19 guidance, every procedure and facility reconsidered, and all necessary steps taken to protect passengers, staff and every airport user.”

The airport has remained open during lockdown for repatriation, medical and military flights, and general aviation.

“Wizz Air flights support essential travel and economic recovery,” added Mr Olver.

“Passengers need to adhere to restrictions imposed both in the UK and in the country of travel.

“The government continues to advise that everyone should stay at home wherever possible, and only travel where it’s absolutely essential.

“Resuming larger-scale passenger services at London Luton will require a lifting of travel restrictions.

“We recognise the pace of recovery must reflect the overriding interests of the health and safety of passengers and airport staff.”

Councillor Simmons said: “Enhanced national measures to check the health status of arriving passengers at airports could provide reassurance to travellers and the public, as well as potentially helping manage transmission of the terrible coronavirus.

“The borough council would welcome government consideration of this.”

Wizz Air was also contacted but declined to comment.